Method for manufacturing medicated chewing gum without cooling

ABSTRACT

An improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredient(s) that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat and extreme cold during milling that can otherwise degrade the active&#39;s efficacy. A chewing gum base is used, along with one or more therapeutically-active ingredients, one or more sweeteners (alcohol-based and/or natural), and one or more flavorings and optional flavor modifiers. The method generally comprises heating the gum base in ovens to melt the gum base. Separately, the active ingredient(s), sweeteners and flavorings are combined in a mixer. The melted gum base is added to the mixer and cools to produce a particulate mixture. As mixing continues the mass cools to room temperature and forms granular pieces. The granular pieces are ground into a powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with tableting excipients, and tableted. Several variations on the foregoing are also described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

In accordance with 37 CFR §1.76, a claim of priority is included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith. Accordingly, the present invention claims priority as a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/732,072, entitled “METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MEDICATED CHEWING GUM WITHOUT COOLING”, filed Jun. 5, 2015, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/008,211, filed Jun. 5, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients and, more specifically, to a method for manufacture of such chewing gums that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s).

2. Description of the Background

The conventional methods of producing compressible chewing gums entail freezing the gum base and then grinding to obtain a particulate material, mixing the particulate material with other materials (usually in particulate form), then pressing the compressible chewing gum mixture into tablets.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,350 to Fisher et al. (Wrigley) issued Jan. 25, 1983 shows a method for the manufacture of chewing gum in which the viscosity of the gum base is first reduced by heating. A bulking agent is then added to the gum base while mixing. The mixture is cooled during mixing to form granules. More bulking agent is added to form layers around the granules, and there is no active ingredient nor any grinding or tableting.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,101,579 to Athanikar et al. (Deseret Labs) issued Sep. 5, 2006 shows a chewing gum composition containing an active ingredient. The gum base is cooled to a temperature at which the composition is brittle, ground, mixed with the active ingredient as desired, and formed into a tablet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,961 to Reiner et al. (APR Applied Pharma) issued Jan. 27, 1998 discloses a pharmaceutical chewing gum composition in tablet form made by freezing, grinding the gum in a mill, and granulating the ground gum in a fluid bed. Thereafter, a medicinal active agent is mixed with the granulate, and the granulates are compressed into tablets. This patent is provided for general interest.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,270 to Kehoe (Nabisco) issued 4 Dec. 1990 shows a medicament-active chewing gum made by freezing and grinding into a particle. Note that the gum and the active ingredient are mixed together while heating, and then the mixture is frozen and ground into particles.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,582,738 to Gubler (Deseret Laboratories) issued Jun. 24, 2003 shows a process for preparing chewing gum containing a nutritional supplement that includes cooling and grinding the cooled, brittle gum composition to form a chewing gum powder, mixing with an active nutritional supplement, granulating, and then compressing the granules to form chewing gum tablets. The chewing gum composition is cooled to a temperature at which the gum composition is brittle.

Alternatively it is known to mix a powder sweetener into a molten gum base while subjecting the mixture to shear (i.e., through the mixing force) and cooling. This technique causes the grinding as the mixture becomes more rigid due to cooling and the addition of the dry sweetener.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,805 to Cherukuri et al. (Warner-Lambert) issued Jun. 28, 1988 shows a tabletted chewing gum composition and method of preparation in which a gum base is mixed with a sweetener, and the mixture is ground with an abrasive grinding aid (alkali metal phosphates, alkaline earth metal phosphates, maltodextrins).

U.S. Pat. No. 7,208,186 (SPI Pharma, Inc.) to Norman et al. issued Apr. 24, 2007 shows a chewing gum formulation with an active ingredient. The gum base, granulating agent and a processing aid are mixed until in particulate form. The temperature in the mixer is then increased to a temperature which is sufficient to melt at least the surface of the gum base particles and the contents of the mixer are mixed for several minutes at this temperature to obtain a uniform mixture of the gum base, the granulating agent and the processing aid in particulate form particles inside the mixer. Next, the active ingredient is added to the particles and most or all of the active ingredient is loosely bound to the outer surfaces of the particles. The particles are tableted. There is no cooling necessary to make the chewing gum formulation friable.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,351,438 to Sozzi et al. (Gum Base Co., SPA) issued Apr. 1, 2008 shows a method of preparing chewing gum in tablet form by direct compression of the chewing gum formulation in powder form. The chewing gum in powder form is produced by a method which comprises the following steps:

a) mixing of a soft basic gum with at least one sweetener and, optionally, at least one other typical chewing-gum ingredient, at a temperature of between 35 and 75° C.,

-   -   b) cooling of the mixture thus obtained to a temperature of         between 0 and −40° C. and preferably between −10 and −40° C.,     -   c) grinding and subsequent screening of the mixture thus         obtained to a particle size of less than 10 mesh,     -   d) optional mixing of the powder thus obtained with at least one         anti-agglutination agent,     -   e) optional compression of the mixture thus obtained.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,866,179 to Testa (Avant-Garde Technologies) issued Feb. 2, 1999 shows a medicated chewing gum and a process for preparation thereof in which the active agent is mixed with a granulated gum base under controlled temperature and humidity and the blended components are cold-pressed to produce a final gum product. The gum base is prepared by cooling natural gum to −10 degree C., then grinding it. It is noted that the elevated temperatures used in the melt can adversely affect the chemical stability of the therapeutic agent.

Neither prior method is optimal for chewing gums with active ingredients since heating and/or cooling can erode the effectiveness of the active. The proposed process avoids this by initially heating a gum base to slightly elevated internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F. in ovens, mixing with the active as it cools to produce a particulate mixture, grinding into compressible powder, then forming into tablets. The temperature of the gum base exceeds that of the mixer when first introduced, but as mixing continues it cools and mixes into a particulate form=inside the mixer. Next, the particulate is ground into compressible powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with excipients, and tableted. This avoids heating/cooling of the active and preserves its efficacy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s).

It is another object to provide a method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients that avoids exposure of the active ingredients to high heat during mixing that can degrade the active's efficacy.

It is another object to provide a method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients that avoids exposure of the active ingredients to extreme cold during milling that can degrade the active's efficacy.

It is another object to provide a method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients in which the active in oil form can be mixed directly into the other powder ingredients and tableted, rather than spray-dried onto a powder carrier for tableting as with the prior art methods. This direct mixing of the oil into the powder can deliver more active ingredient with less weight than the alternatives thus making the tableting process more efficient and less expensive

In accordance with the foregoing objects, present invention provides an improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat and extreme cold during milling that can otherwise degrade the active's efficacy. A suitable chewing gum base is used preferably comprising one or more constituents including elastomers for elasticity, resins to act as binders and softeners, plasticizers to render the elastomer soft to ensure thorough blending of the gum base, fillers contributing to the overall texture, and antioxidants to prevent oxidation of the gum base and flavors during shelf life. In addition, one or more therapeutically-active ingredients are used, one or more sweeteners (alcohol-based and/or natural), and one or more flavorings and optional flavor modifiers are used.

Generally, the method comprises initially heating the gum base in ovens to melt the gum base to an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F. Separately, powdered ingredients including one or more active ingredient(s), sweeteners and flavorings are combined in a mixer. The melted gum base is added to the mixer and cools to produce a particulate mixture. The temperature of the gum base exceeds that of the mixer when first introduced, but as mixing continues it cools quickly to room temperature and forms granular pieces. The granular pieces are conditioned for a period of time. Conditioning is the time between the mixing and grinding of the gum. Conditioning allows the granular pieces to dry slightly and complete the crystallization process. Next, the granular pieces are ground into a powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with tableting excipients, and tableted. This process avoids extreme heating or cooling of the active ingredient(s) and preserves the efficacy.

The present invention including several embodiments is described in greater detail in the detailed description of the invention, and the appended drawings. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram of a first embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in powder form.

FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a second embodiment of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, likewise suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in powder form.

FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a third embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram of a fourth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram of a fifth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a sixth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

FIG. 7 is a process flow diagram of a seventh embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a eighth embodiment of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to the invention, suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

For purposes of description, the term “active” is herein defined as the ingredient or ingredients that provide a therapeutic effect. In the present invention active(s) may be provided in either powder or oil form. An active in oil form is defined as a free flowing liquid, semi-solid, or paste that is lipid-based and not water soluble. In the case of a semi-solid or paste, when heated to a maximum temperature of 140 deg F., the material changes to an oil. Active ingredients in oil form can include hemp oil, THC resin, any cannabinoid oil, as well as pharmaceutical actives, botanicals and essential oils.

The invention generally is an improved method for manufacture of chewing gums containing active ingredients that preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat and extreme cold, mainly during milling, that can otherwise degrade the active's efficacy. A suitable chewing gum base is used comprising one or more constituents including elastomers for elasticity, resins to act as binders and softeners, plasticizers to render the elastomer soft to ensure thorough blending of the gum base, fillers contributing to the overall texture, and antioxidants to prevent oxidation of the gum base and flavors during shelf life.

Generally, the method comprises initially heating the gum base in ovens to melt the gum base to an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F. Ingredients, including one or more active ingredient(s), are combined in a mixer. The melted gum base is added to the mixer and cools to produce a particulate mixture. The temperature of the gum base exceeds that of the mixer when first introduced, but as mixing continues it cools quickly to room temperature and forms rock-sized granular pieces. These granular pieces are then conditioned for a period of time, which allows the granular pieces to dry slightly and complete the crystallization process. Preferably, the pieces are conditioned for at least 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg. F. and 60% relative humidity. Next, the pieces are ground into a powder at room temperature, mixed at room temperature with tableting excipients, and tableted. This avoids extreme heating or cooling of the active ingredient(s) and preserves the efficacy.

The active ingredients may be provided in raw powder or oil form, and the present application suggests two alternative methods one suited for the powder form and one for the oil form. When the active ingredient(s) is in oil form, the oil can be mixed directly into the other powder ingredients and tableted, and there is no need for spray-drying the oil onto a powder carrier for tableting as with the prior art methods. This direct mixing delivers more active ingredient with less weight thus making the tableting process more efficient and less expensive.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) in powder form.

At step 105 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F. Temperature may be measured with a commercial food thermometer.

At step 100, in a commercial mixer, preferably a double Z-blade mixer (for example, a Winkworth® double blade Z blender), the active ingredient(s), the sugar alcohols, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 110 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 120 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

At step 130, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate predetermined particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

Optionally, at step 135 other active ingredients, flavor modifiers, or the like may be added.

At step 140 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

At step 150 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

The foregoing method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of the method for manufacturing chewing gum according to another embodiment of the invention, also suited for active ingredient(s) in powder form.

At step 205 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 200, in a commercial mixer, preferably a double Z-blade mixer (for example, a Winkworth® double blade Z blender), the active ingredient(s), the sugars, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 210 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 220 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

At step 230, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

Optionally, at step 235 other active ingredients, flavor modifiers, or the like may be added.

At step 240 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

At step 250 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

The foregoing method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

At step 305 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the sweeteners comprising approximately 9 to 13% of one or more sugar alcohols (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

Separately, at step 300 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sweeteners (the remaining 87-91% of the sugar alcohol(s), plus the flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 310 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

At step 315 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 320 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 330 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

At step 340, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate pre-determined particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

Optionally, at step 345 flavor modifiers may be added.

At step 350 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

At step 360 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

At step 405 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the sweeteners comprising approximately 9 to 13% of one or more sugars (see Tables 2, 4 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

Separately, at step 400 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sugars (the remaining 87-91%), plus flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 410 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

At step 415 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 420 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 430 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

At step 440, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

Optionally, at step 445 flavor modifiers may be added.

At step 450 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

At step 460 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

At step 505 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the total sweeteners, e.g., approximately 9 to 13% of one or more of sugar alcohol, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

Separately, at step 500 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sugar alcohols (the remaining 87-91% of the sugar alcohol(s), plus the entirety of the flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 510 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

At step 515 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 520 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 530 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

At step 540, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

Optionally, at step 545 flavor modifiers may be added.

At step 550 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the flow agents and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.

At step 560 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

At step 600 in a double blade Z blender, the sugar alcohols, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes, and the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

At step 605 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 610 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 620 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity.

At step 630, after the conditioning period, the gum is milled into particulates at room temperature using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.

At step 635 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and approximately 9 to 13% of a portion of the sweeteners, e.g., one or more of sugar alcohol, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid systems (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital or planetary mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

At step 640 the resulting powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer, the flow agents and any flavor modifiers are added. The powder is blended for approximately 3 to 8 minutes.

At step 650 the milled gum powder is placed in an orbital or planetary mixer and the pre-mix and tablet lubricants are added. The powder is blended for approximately 3 to 5 minutes.

At step 660 the powder is tableted using standard tablet punches on any suitable commercial tablet press.

As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold during milling that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

At step 700 in a double blade Z blender, the sugar alcohols, flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 705 one or more active oil(s) is/are added to the blender and are mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

At step 710 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 720 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 730 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 12 hours.

At step 740, after the conditioning period, the gum is extruded through a die to form the desired shape of the gum.

Optionally, at step 750 a coating of a sugar alcohol can be applied to the gum piece.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing chewing gum according to an alternate embodiment of the invention suited for active ingredient(s) that are provided in oil form.

At step 800 a pre-mix consisting of the active(s) and a portion of the total sweeteners, e.g., approximately 9 to 13% of one or more of sugar alcohol, liquid flavors, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system (see Table 1, 3, 5, 6 below) are mixed in a suitable commercial orbital mixer. These ingredients are mixed approximately 3 to 9 minutes, until a homogeneous mix is obtained.

Separately, at step 805 in a double blade Z blender, the balance of the sugar alcohols (the remaining 87-91% of the sugar alcohol(s), plus the flavors and flavor modifiers are added and mixed approximately 3 to 7 minutes.

At step 810 the premix containing the active oil(s) is added to the blender and is mixed approximately 2 to 5 minutes.

At step 815 one or more different gum base(s) are placed in trays lined with a sugar alcohol and the trays are placed in an oven. The gum base is melted until it reaches an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.

At step 820 the melted gum base is added into the mixer and mixed until a homogeneous mass is produced. The mixing time may vary within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes.

At step 830 the mass is removed from the blender and conditioned in trays for a minimum of 12 hours.

At step 840, after the conditioning period, the gum is extruded through a die to form the desired shape of the gum.

Optionally, at step 845 a coating of a sugar alcohol can be applied to the gum piece.

As above this method entirely avoids exposure of the active ingredient to high heat or extreme cold that would otherwise degrade the active's efficacy.

The following examples provide specific ingredient listings including a range of acceptable weight % and preferred weight % for ingredients used in the above-described processes for manufacturing particular gums having maximum efficacy.

Example 1

Chitosan Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 1 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with a powdered active ingredient, for example chitosan, using the relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/chitosan, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols 42.4-75.3 64.0 that can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol Gum Base 20.0-30.0 25.7 Flavoring in liquid and powder  2.0-12.0 3.3 Active ingredient(s) - chitosan  1.0-20.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 4.0 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 2

Caffeine Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 2 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with a powdered active ingredient, for example caffeine, using the relative amounts of constituents (sugar, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/caffeine, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 2:

TABLE 2 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar or a blend of sugars that can include 55.0-70.0 59.6 one or more of the following: dextrose, sucrose, fructose, glucose Gum Base 20.0-30.0 21.2 Flavoring in liquid and powder  8.0-15.0 9.8 Active ingredient(s) - caffeine  1.0-10.0 4.7 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 2.6-5.0 3.7 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-1.5 1.0 Total 100.0

Example 3

Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 3 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 3:

TABLE 3 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols that 48.4-68.8 57.8 can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.5 Flavoring in liquid and powder  9.0-11.0 6.9 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.8 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 4

Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 4 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugars, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 4:

TABLE 4 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar or a blend of sugars that can include one 53.0-70.0 62.9 or more of the following: dextrose, sucrose, fructose, glucose Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.6 Flavoring in liquid and powder 2.5-4.5 3.6 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 0.9 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.5 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 5

Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 5 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 5:

TABLE 5 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols that 48.4-68.8 57.8 can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol and one or more of the following: microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquidsolid system. Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.5 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 6.9 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.8 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 6

Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 6 has been used successfully to produce a tableted gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, tableting lubricants and powder flow agents, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 6:

TABLE 6 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols that 45.0-65.0 56.0 can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol and one or more of the following: microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system. Gum Base 20.0-30.0 28.5 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 9.0 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 2.5 Tableting lubricants and powder flow agents 1.5-5.0 3.5 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 7

Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 7 has been used successfully to produce a gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 7:

TABLE 7 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols that 45.0-65.0 55.5 can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol Gum Base 25.0-40.0 33.0 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 8.0 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 3.0 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

Example 8

Hemp Oil Chewing Gum

The foregoing method of FIG. 8 has been used successfully to produce a gum with an oil-form active ingredient, for example concentrated hemp oil that delivers cannabidiol (CBD) or with a resinous oil that delivers tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The relative amounts of constituents (sugar alcohol, cellulose/starch derivatives, gum base, flavoring, active ingredient/hemp oil, and sweeteners) as shown in Table 8:

TABLE 8 Weight % Optimal Range Weight % A sugar alcohol or a blend of sugar alcohols that 45.0-65.0 55.5 can include one or more of the following: sorbitol, isomalt, xylitol, maltitol, mannitol or erythritol and one or more of the following: liquid flavor, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid system. Gum Base 25.0-40.0 33.0 Flavoring in liquid and powder  5.0-11.0 8.0 Active ingredient(s) - hemp oil  0.5-10.0 3.0 Intensive sweeteners 0.2-0.6 0.5 Total 100.0

It should now be apparent that the above described method preserves the efficacy of the active ingredient(s) by avoiding exposure to high heat during mixing, or to extreme cold during milling, either of which can degrade the active's efficacy. Moreover, the active ingredient(s) even when provided in oil form can be mixed directly into the other powder ingredients and tableted, rather than spray-dried onto a powder carrier for tableting as with the prior art methods.

The foregoing disclosure of embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims, and by their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for manufacturing chewing gum including at least one therapeutically active ingredient, comprising the steps of: placing one or more gum base(s) in a container with a sugar alcohol in an oven and heating said container until said gum base(s) melts to an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.; mixing in a commercial mixer one or more active ingredient(s), sugar alcohol(s), and flavorings within a range of from 3 to 7 minutes; adding the melted gum base into the mixer and mixing within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes until a homogeneous mass is produced; conditioning said homogenous mass for at least 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity; milling the dried mass into particulates at room temperature using a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch; mixing the particulates with lubricants in an orbital or planetary mixer within a range of from 2 to 4 minutes; and tableting the powder by a tablet press.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) are provided in oil form.
 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising a step of a pre-mixing said one or more active ingredient(s) in oil form with a range of from 9 to 13 weight % of sugar alcohol(s) in a mixer within a range of from 3 to 9 minutes until a homogeneous mix is obtained.
 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of a pre-mixing said one or more active ingredient(s) in oil form with a range of from 9 to 13 weight % of one or more of a sugar alcohol, microcrystalline cellulose, dextrose, modified starch, starch derivatives or other liquisolid systems in a mixer within a range of from 3 to 9 minutes until a homogeneous mix is obtained.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) consist of THC.
 7. A method for manufacturing chewing gum including at least one therapeutically active ingredient, comprising the steps of: placing one or more gum base(s) in a container with a sugar in an oven and heating said container until said gum base(s) melts to an internally measured temperature between 140-160 deg F.; mixing in a commercial mixer one or more active ingredient(s), sugar(s), and flavorings within a range of from 3 to 7 minutes; adding the melted gum base into the mixer and mixing within a range of from 2 to 6 minutes until a homogeneous mass is produced; conditioning said homogenous mass for at least 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and 60% relative humidity; milling the dried mass into particulates at room temperature using a mesh screen of appropriate particle size ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch; mixing the particulates with lubricants in an orbital or planetary mixer within a range of from 2 to 4 minutes; and tableting the powder by a tablet press.
 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) are provided in oil form.
 9. The method according to claim 7, further comprising a step of a pre-mixing said one or more active ingredient(s) in oil form with a range of from 9 to 13 weight % of one or more sugar(s) in a mixer within a range of from 3 to 9 minutes until a homogeneous mix is obtained.
 10. A process for manufacturing chewing gum containing a therapeutically-active ingredient, comprising: a first step of obtaining a quantity of a gum base; a second step of heating the gum base in an oven to an elevated temperature; a third step of obtaining one or more active ingredients and mixing said active ingredient(s) together in a mixer; a fourth step adding said heated gum base into the mixer while said elevated temperature exceeds a temperature of the mixer; a fifth step of mixing said combined gum base and active ingredient(s) in a mixer; and a sixth step of granulating said mixed gum base and active ingredient(s) by continuing said fifth step during cooling of said mixed gum base/active ingredients until said combined gum base and active ingredient(s) form granules; whereby said process avoids exposure of said granulated gum base and active ingredient(s) to excessive heat, cold and excess milling to thereby sustain efficacy of said one or more active ingredients.
 11. The process of claim 10, wherein said first step of obtaining a quantity of a gum base comprising a gum base with at least one elastomer, at least one binder, at least one plasticizer, at least one filler, and at least one antioxidant.
 12. The process of claim 10, wherein said second step of heating the gum base in an oven to an elevated temperature comprises heating to an internally measured temperature within a range of between 140-160 deg F.
 13. The process of claim 10, wherein said second step of heating the gum base in an oven to an elevated temperature comprises melting said gum base.
 14. The process of claim 10, wherein said third step comprises mixing said active ingredient(s) together in a mixer at room temperature.
 15. The process of claim 10, wherein said sixth step of granulating a mixed gum base and active ingredient(s) comprises continuing mixing during cooling of said mixed gum base/active ingredients to room temperature.
 16. The process of claim 15, wherein said sixth step of granulating said mixed gum base and active ingredient(s) comprises continuing mixing into granules.
 17. The process of claim 10, wherein said third step of obtaining one or more active ingredients comprises obtaining one or more active ingredients in oil form.
 18. The process according to claim 10, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
 19. A process for manufacturing chewing gum containing at least one therapeutically-active ingredient, comprising: obtaining a quantity of a gum base; obtaining one or more active ingredients; obtaining one or more sweeteners; obtaining one or more flavorings; combining said one or more active ingredients, one or more sweeteners, and one or more flavorings together in a mixer and mixing; heating the gum base to an elevated temperature; adding said heated gum base into the mixer while said elevated temperature exceeds a temperature of the mixer and mixing into a blended mass; removing said blended mass from the mixer and separating said blended mass into a plurality of trays; conditioning said blended mass in said trays at room temperature; removing said dried mass from said trays and milling said dried mass into a particulate powder at room temperature; adding said one or more active ingredients to said particulate powder and mixing; placing said mixed, particulate powder and one or more active ingredients into a tablet press and tableting into tablets; whereby said process avoids exposure of said active ingredient(s) to excessive heat, cold and excess milling to thereby sustain efficacy of said one or more active ingredients.
 20. The process of claim 19, wherein said step of combining said one or more active ingredients, one or more sweeteners, and one or more flavorings together in a mixer further comprises mixing for a time ranging from 2 to 6 minutes.
 21. The process of claim 19, wherein said step of conditioning said blended mass in said trays at room temperature comprises conditioning said blended mass for a minimum of 6 hours at a temperature not greater than 75 deg F. and humidity below 60%.
 22. The process of claim 19, wherein said step of removing said dried mass from said trays and milling said dried mass into a particulate powder at room temperature comprises milling said dried mass using a hammer mill that forces the particulates through a mesh screen ranging between 0.10 inch to 0.30 inch with an optimal size of 0.24 inch.
 23. The process of claim 19, further comprising a step, after said step of adding said one or more active ingredients to said particulate powder and mixing, of adding flavor modifiers.
 24. The process of claim 19, further comprising a step, after said step of adding said one or more active ingredients to said particulate powder and mixing, of adding a flow agent and a tablet lubricant.
 25. The process of claim 19, wherein a substep of mixing said particulate powder comprises mixing within a range of from 2 to 4 minutes.
 26. The process according to claim 19, wherein said one or more active ingredient(s) comprise tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
 27. The process of claim 19, wherein said one or more active ingredients consist of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). 